A different Les Paul Bass...

Basvarken · February 08, 2015, 10:07:08 AM

Look what I got!

My beloved Les Paul Bass finally got a twin sister.
Can you spot the differences?

Granny Gremlin · February 08, 2015, 11:09:18 AM

I always wondered why they never slanted the pups on the bass like on the geetar version.... speaking of, are those geetar pups? Look a bit smaller but with the slant hard to tell in the pics.

Looks like that started out to be a 6 banger and somewhere along the line someone changed their mind - is that a decade control? (AWESOME) ... but if those are geetar pups what's the tone lever do (quick google image shows both the bass and the geetar have that, but without the taps of the bass pup I have no idea what purpose it could serve; I'll have to take a gander at the schem)?

Uwe is gonna be so jealous. Congrats!

Chris P. · February 08, 2015, 12:20:48 PM

Wow!!!!

Basvarken · February 08, 2015, 12:44:49 PM

Quote from: Granny Gremlin on February 08, 2015, 11:09:18 AM
I always wondered why they never slanted the pups on the bass like on the geetar version.... speaking of, are those geetar pups? Look a bit smaller but with the slant hard to tell in the pics.

Looks like that started out to be a 6 banger and somewhere along the line someone changed their mind - is that a decade control? (AWESOME) ... but if those are geetar pups what's the tone lever do (quick google image shows both the bass and the geetar have that, but without the taps of the bass pup I have no idea what purpose it could serve; I'll have to take a gander at the schem)?

Yes those are the guitar size pickups. With two wires in stead of eight.
And yes that is a decade. With ten subtle differences.
I have yet to figure out what the tone control does exactly.

Granny Gremlin · February 08, 2015, 01:11:17 PM

This really is an interesting find, Rob!

Any idea if factory (weird personal custom or otherwise) or aftermarket (I suppose the easiest way to tell would be if you see fills from the original 6 banger stop tailpiece)?

Quick look at the schem for the guitar shows that the tone switch affects the bass and treble controls somehow in 2 positions and the tone of the bridge pup in the third.

drbassman · February 08, 2015, 01:16:00 PM

Very cool, I like it!

clankenstein · February 08, 2015, 02:40:48 PM

I like the way the slanted pi mus look on the bass.my friends les Paul personal guitar has an xlr mic in on top and an volume control just under it .is there a 2nd small control plate on the back?

Granny Gremlin · February 08, 2015, 02:56:10 PM

The mic (there was originally a gooseneck jobby attached to the XLR) and assiciated volume control was the main difference between the Les Paul Personal and Recording/Pro models. There will be an access cover behind the top horn, but it's for the pup switch (like on regular Les Pauls).

4stringer77 · February 08, 2015, 04:32:05 PM

How'd you find that? Love the grain on that close up shot. Nice floor as well

Grog · February 08, 2015, 05:05:31 PM

Awesome! Is the serial number older than your other one? Might be an early prototype or a Frankenstein? I wonder if Uwe collects for pickup angles? I like it!!

Dave W · February 08, 2015, 07:47:26 PM

Wow. What have you been able to find out about it?

Basvarken · February 09, 2015, 12:24:17 AM

Here's a shot of the back

and the neck joint up close

amptech · February 09, 2015, 01:00:27 AM

WOW!

A les paul professional bass?

uwe · February 09, 2015, 03:53:07 AM

Double-wow! Rob, you know how I wish you a long and healthy life, but things happen, so please don't forget to put me in your will!

Must have been a very early prototype.

Granny Gremlin · February 09, 2015, 06:14:35 AM

Rob, that pic of the back is beautiful - she's in such great shape!